Underwriter, Finance & Banking

Overview

Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency that connects businesses with top talent in financial services, fintech, and digital sectors. We specialise in providing a seamless recruitment experience for clients and candidates, fostering innovation and professional growth.

We’re working with a growing, non-bank lender that provides asset finance, invoice finance, commercial loans and vehicle finance to UK SMEs. As they expand, they're looking for a skilled Asset Finance Underwriter to join their team and play a pivotal role in assessing, structuring, and approving asset-backed finance applications — enabling businesses to acquire the equipment and assets they need to grow.

You’ll manage a portfolio of asset-finance applications, reviewing proposals for the purchase or leasing of ‘hard’ (machinery, equipment) and ‘soft’ (furniture, fixtures) assets — ensuring compliance with credit policy and delivering sound, commercial underwriting decisions. Key responsibilities include :

• Assessing credit applications and analysing the financial viability and creditworthiness of SMEs.
• Reviewing asset valuations, lease terms or hire-purchase agreements, and security documentation.
• Preparing credit proposals / decision papers for approval or decline.
• Managing deal structuring in line with underwriting policy, including risk assessments, covenants, and security.
• Liaising with brokers, vendors, and internal stakeholders (sales, credit, legal) to progress deals.
• Ensuring compliance with regulation, internal policy, and record-keeping standards.
• Contributing to continuous improvement of underwriting frameworks and risk-management processes.

• Experience in underwriting or credit assessment - ideally in asset finance, equipment leasing, hire-purchase, or similar secured lending.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess credit risk, cash-flow, and asset security.
• Experience reviewing or valuing assets (machinery, vehicles, equipment) or familiarity with lease / HP underwriting.
• Excellent stakeholder and communication skills - able to work with brokers, vendors and internal teams.
• Detail-oriented mindset, with a strong sense of governance, compliance, and risk.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and make timely, well-justified credit decisions.

You will be part of a specialist, growth-focused lender with a diversified product offering, committed to supporting UK SMEs. You'll have the opportunity to influence underwriting standards, support business growth with meaningful credit decisions, and develop your career in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment